The sharper-suited version of the well-established V70 estate should broaden the car’s appeal, says Peter Carroll.

 See more pictures of the V70 in our photo gallery below.

The arrival of the stylish XC60 may have earned Volvo plenty of column inches – but not everyone wants to drive an SUV.

And those who prefer the traditional estate car format may be more interested in another recent addition to the Swedes’ range: the V70 R-Design estate.

Volvo estates have a reputation for being practical, but boxy and dull. This new model should go some way towards redressing the balance.

R-Design is Volvo’s equivalent of BMW’s ‘M Sport’ or Audi’s ‘S Line’ and denotes cars with sharper looks and a slightly lowered chassis for more driver involvement.

The car’s recent styling updates, particularly at the front, give the V70 a sharper, more up-to-date look and the R-Design features inject a welcome touch of sportiness.

The seat colour scheme is black and cream and it works very well with the clean, uncluttered cabin of the V70.

There are aluminium trim accents along with metal pedals and sill plates. You also get a chrome-plated exhaust, stiffer suspension and elegant alloy wheels.

There were early signs of wear on the leather of the driver’s seat – on a car that had done only 4,500 miles -Êbut otherwise the build quality looked robust.

Like most Volvos, the V70 offers a pleasant driving environment. The seats are outstandingly comfortable and there’s plenty of leg and head room, both in the front and in the back.

The controls are mostly easy operate, particularly the ‘human’-shaped climate control feature, though I did not much care for the awkwardly-located electronic handbrake.

If you can stretch to another £1,300 for the DVD player it could prove a godsend for families long journeys.

Volvo’s system offers two screens in the back of the front seat headrests, a disc player unit integrated conveniently into the centre console and two pairs of cordless headphones.

This means the kids can sit in the back watching a film while the driver listens to the radio or a CD in the front.

The V70 is capacious, but not colossal, when it comes to shifting goods. Most of its premium rivals, not to mention Ford’s Mondeo estate, offer more load-lugging capacity, though the Volvo does benefit from a long, flat load space when its rear seats have been folded down.

Another advantage it has, compared with SUVs, is its lower load sill. Volvos have long been popular with dog owners and hounds should certainly find it easier to jump into the back of a V70 than an off-roader with its high sill.

The test car came with a two-litre diesel engine and, unless you want to tow a trailer or shift substantial loads, it’s fine for family motoring.

The car will hit 60mph in nearly 11 seconds and is a refined cruiser at motorway speeds. It is also noticeably more economical than the larger 2.4 litre Volvo diesel unit.

I was getting 40mpg, whereas I struggled to top 30mpg in the bigger-engined XC60.

On the road, the steering has a relatively heavy feel compared with some rivals which I personally liked.

Despite its R-Design status, the car is probably not be the most agile performer in its class but drives and handles perfectly acceptably.

The ride is a tad firmer than the usual softish set up of a Volvo. You’ll feel the bumps but it’s far from harsh.

The V70 is in the same ballpark as the newer XC60 when it comes to price. The latter car will suit those who like to sit high and need the benefits of four-wheel drive.

But there’s life in the estate concept yet and the styling improvements, along with the R-Design package, inject a welcome sporty touch to the V70.

I had mine only a few days but I suspect the longer you own it, the more you’ll appreciate its quality and dependability.

And there’s every chance R-Design models will prove the most desirable of all V70s on the second hand market in years to come.

By Peter Carroll

FACT FILE:

Model: V70 2.0D R-Design

Price: From £26,745 (£32,200 as tested)

Engine: 1,997cc, four cylinders, diesel

Power: 136PS

Transmission: Six speed manual, front wheel drive

Performance: 0-62 in 10.9 seconds

Top speed: 121mph

Economy: 47.9mpg on combined cycle

CO2 emissions: 157g/km

Length: 4,823mm

Kerb weight: 1,730kg

Insurance group: 13

Servicing: 12,500 milesWarranty: Three years / 60,000 miles